After a long winter, I am back to postings and for this post I will re-write the Gibson’s Top 10 Drummers, based on my preferences. Gibson’s list sounds quite pop and a little awkward when they put Dave Growl as the Top 4 drummer. I respect the choice but my evil side makes me believe that Anne Erikson (the author) had a diarrhea during that decision. Even in a generalist list (I forgot to mention that my list is of course about Heavy Metal drummers) I would mention Dave Grohl. Well, it is time to make my list of drummers but to be fair, I will add 5 more drummers to the Top 10.
So, it is going to be Top 10+5!
15. Clive Burr (IRON MAIDEN)
The most important drummer in conception of NWOBH… powerful style!
14. Lars Ulrich (METALLICA)
I am not a Metallica fan anymore but I can’t deny Lars is fundamental in Trash Metal history… Justice for All exposed the best of his technique.
13. Scott Travis (JUDAS PRIEST)
“Faster than a bullet” and as louder as a thunderstorm… Amazing Bass Drum…
12. Tim Alexander (PRIMUS)
An insane bass player requires an insane drummer to play along… Groove Drummer.
11. Igor Cavalera (SEPULTURA)
What to say about Igor? One of a kind… it is almost impossible to believe that a Brazilian drummer have such recognition in Heavy Metal scene.
10. Carmine Apice (VANILLA FUDGE)
Carmine had an important part in development of Rock drumming… when feeling was more important than technique.
9. Mikey Dee (MOTORHEAD)
An animal… but not Taylor! In my opinion Motorhead sound improved a lot with Dee. Dee drums sound like a machine gun. Aggressive style!
8. Nick Menza (MEGADETH)
Nick, Nick, Nick… Remember Mustaine in Black Sabbath’s tribute? That’s exactly what Nick sound seems to me. Unstoppable, pure stamina and astonishing Bass Drum.
7. Scott Rokenfield (QUEENSRYCHE)
Scott is a reference in Heavy Prog style with others like Peart and Portnoy. He had historical part in prog drumming development.
6. Bill Ward (BLACK SABBATH)
The history himself… Heavy Metal drumming founder… his efforts and dedication to the style made his body pay the price. I consider him the wild force in metal.
5. Ian Paice (DEEP PURPLE)
If Ward is the wild force in metal style Paice is the thinker. Not metal… Hard Rock he would say! Reference in style, Paice is pure feeling!
4. Dave Lombardo (SLAYER)
A Dave Lombardo’s drumclinic is almost a rape for your ears. I almost felt from the chair the first time I heard that he is Cuban… Amazing work in Slayer, Fantomas and Testament!
3. Cozy Powell (RAINBOW)
Cozy played with the finest musicians and for the crème de la crème of heavy metal bands. Check it out: Rainbow, Jeff Beck, ELP, Whitesnake, Black Sabbath, Whitesnake, Brian May and Malmsteen… If Portnoy and Peart didn’t exist Powell would certain be in Top 2.
2. Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER)
What an amazing drummer! Extremely talented. So much talent affected his sense of reality. I can’t understand what happened in his left of Dream Theater so far. But I still respect him a lot.
1. Neal Peart (RUSH)
Genious, Legend, Myth… call him everything. There is no other for this position. Or concur in all lists. Peart is a mixture of everything and a reference for everyone. The all time best drummer… for ages.
That’s all folks!
Hail to Heavy Crew,
Stein
